32oz brewery filled growler. Pours black with a rich mocha head. Lots of sudsy lacing that sticks to the sides. Smells of chocolate and roasted coffee with floral and earthy citrus character mixed in. The taste is chocolate sweetness, roast and bitter earthy hops. Burnt notes come on strong in the finish. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with some crispness on the tongue and then more of a firm creaminess that slides along the back. This 8% ABV is very well hid. This was a solid Black IPA with the right mix of assertive flavors for the style and an extremely smooth body for the size. It packs a punch on the palate yet is still quite drinkable. I'm a fan.

O: One of the better Black IPA's I've had. Again, not a black IPA fan, but this was pretty tasty stuff. Nicely balanced, good use of ingredients. If I felt like having an IPA and this was on tap, I would order it.

Had on tap, here at my restaurant. Poured into Sun King pint glass. OK creamy tan head, pretty dark, but not all the way there.

Smell is definitely IPA, with citrus, grapefruit, and orange rind, poking through, but there are nice dark malt aromas there.

Taste is more bitter orange, slightly sweet, bitter IPA punch up front, with faint toffee notes dancing about as it warms to my likings. Linger bitterness is strong. Some noticeable alcohol but not unpleasing in the slightest. Taste is really out of this world. The best black IPA I've tried.

Mouthfeel is a little on the thin side, a little under carbonated for a SK, but it's pretty spot on for what I'm assuming they were trying to achieve. Oh yah, I don't want to overlook lacing, because it's immaculate -- It goes all the way up the glass when you finally reach the bottom.

Took my time sipping this. But having said that, the bitter was just so money on this one, a superb drying, that was not at all astringent, that draws you back for sip after sip.

Overall, another damn good beer from Sun King. Have had a 1/6 barrel (~ 40 pints) on tap for four days and I've got about maybe two pints left -- Not bad at all for a Mexican restaurant. Have only heard good things about it from customers. Cannot wait until next year to bring it back. Definitely a worthy seasonal.